T he temporary bill that passed Congress over the weekend to keep the government open until mid-November didn’t include money–more money–for Ukraine. More specifically, more money for weapons and ammo so that Ukraine can defend itself in Putin’s War.
This is short-sighted on America’s part.
Yes, the United States taxpayer has already given more than $75 billion to Ukraine, and most of that went in the way of weapons, equipment and training. That’s a lot of money. There are some in Congress, and not just Congress, who say it is too much money, especially given the needs in this country. Needs like border security, veteran care, education, even getting this debt-spending under control. They have a point.
But not the best point.
The money American taxpayers have sent (or printed, then sent) to Ukraine is quite a bit. But military hardware is expensive. That $75-billion-plus isn’t much more than what a handful of aircraft carriers cost. But that money has been put to good use.
First–and don’t let this one slip by–this is money given to a troubled democracy to defend itself against a long-time NATO adversary on NATO’s borders. This money is going to people who are willing to die for their land and their government and their freedom, and the United States has built a good reputation over the decades of helping those who help themselves in this way. Maybe some Americans don’t want their tax dollars going to such a high idea, but what better ideas are there?
Second–and this might be more Machiavellian–the invading Russian government has made itself the enemy of the West and of NATO since the fall of the old and unlamented Soviet Union. The more the Russians pour resources into Ukraine–and watch those resources evaporate like ice on a warm autumn morning–the fewer resources they have pointed at American soldiers and our allies. (Remember that American soldiers are stationed all over Europe.) And “resources” isn’t just a euphemism for human lives. Every artillery shell, drone, tank, plane, landmine, bullet and missile that falls in Ukraine is one that won’t potentially fall on NATO ground.
NB: The Russians can’t do this forever. We are reminded of the American general who visited Russia during the “nice” years after Sept. 11, 2001, and before the beginning of Putin’s War: A Russian general was showing off his troops one day, showing his visitor the shooting range where his tanks practiced. The Russian told his American counterpart that every one of his tank operators was able to shoot a round once a year, no exceptions! The American nearly blanched, knowing that his own troops on such practice ranges shot multiple rounds on multiple visits on multiple occasions many times a year.
But maybe the most important reason to arm Ukraine, at its desperate request, will be the message it sends, or won’t send, depending on what the Americans decide. Will Russia be satisfied with stopping at Ukraine? Was Vladimir Vladimirovich satisfied after he annexed Crimea?
And what will the Red Chinese think about American resolve? Besides Ukrainians, there are millions of Taiwanese–the free Chinese–who rely on the Americans for backup, too. As do Japan, Australia, NATO, and any number of friendly nations all over the globe.
Somebody once said that it might be dangerous to be America’s enemy in this world, but it can be fatal to be her friend. That’s a reputation we’d like to see lost to time.
K evin McCarthy, the speaker of the United States House of Representatives recently, has been walking a tightrope over Ukraine for a few months. Part of the more extreme members of his party have been calling for removing all Ukraine aid from budget proposals that go through Congress. These people aren’t thinking any more on the Ukrainian situation than they are anything else. They have a habit of talking in bumper-sticker arguments, which leads to bumper-sticker thoughts.
Speaker McCarthy has gone from saying “no blank checks!” for Ukraine to accusing others of putting “Ukraine in front of America.”
Why, yes. That is one way to put it. Aid to Ukraine to fight a war against the Russians does put Ukraine in front of America. In front of American troops, in front of American NATO allies, and in front of–or between–Americans and a direct confrontation with a nuclear-armed Vladimir Putin.
To have Ukraine between our own people and artillery shells–or much worse–is something we should be thankful for. And fund.
2023-10-04 08:52:05
#EDITORIAL #Ukraine #front #America
